Emilio Bonifacio Clears Release Waivers

Emilio Bonifacio has cleared release waivers and is now eligible to sign with any team as a free agent, tweets Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish.

The Royals avoided arbitration earlier with Bonifacio earlier this month, agreeing to a one-year, $3.5MM contract. However, since that time, they've agreed to bring lefty Bruce Chen back into the mix in 2014 and chosen to designate Bonifacio for assignment to clear roster space. The Royals were unable to find a trading partner and placed Bonifacio on release waivers two days ago. Arbitration contracts are not fully guaranteed, and as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports pointed out yesterday, Kansas City is only on the hook for roughly $575K of that $3.5MM guarantee.

Any team is now free to sign Bonifacio at any price. The speedy 28-year-old struggled to a .218/.258/.321 batting line in his short time with the Blue Jays but quickly turned it around upon arriving in Kansas City last year. With the Royals, Bonifacio slashed a healthy .285/.352/.348 in 179 plate appearances. He showed off his best tool — speed — by swiping 28 bases in 36 tries between the two clubs last season. Though he's not a gifted defender at most positions, Bonifacio is versatile; he comes with big league experience at second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions. As many as nine clubs, including the Orioles, are said to have interest in the switch-hitter.

I like shane robinson but would rather have bonifacio instead. or keep robinson and trade or send down kozma and or descalso. Still think they would keep descalso and that would push robinson to the minors.

And play him where? The Braves already have Pena, Pastornicky, LaStella, and Reyes as backup infielders (or starting second basemen), plus Constanza and Schafer have speed off the bench. The Braves had Elliot Johnson and let him go to save the money. Unless Bonifacio signs for six figures, the Braves should save their money so they can take on some payroll at the trade deadline. He’s gonna wind up with the Orioles. The fit is just too perfect.

Constanza shouldn’t be on main roster. Bonifacio would be perfect back up everywhere, speed and more versatility on the bench. If he could be had on a minor league deal with spring invite, then it’s a no brainer. However, if he expects 3.5 or whatever mill, then no. However, places can be found for him to play if he were signed and makes the roster opening day.

Bonifacio can do all INF except 1B/C and do all OF, that’s the type of versatility Wren likes and has gotten in the past.

I actually like this idea for as much as 1-1.5M. LaStella could use and extra year of development and Pastornicky has never really impressed. I like Pena but I think he’d be exposed playing everyday, and let’s not forget that Johnson requires a defensive substitution on a regular basis with more often than not would be Pena.

I remember hearing they were looking awful hard at him before he got shipped to the Jays. That’s a year and a lot of bad defense ago, but he could be an interesting insurance policy for the Braves. Worst case scenario he’s be a nice piece on a bench with 3 switch hitters.

He’s not going anywhere he doesn’t have an excellent shot at a starting job. While the Braves would love that to be the case, I think Uggla’s contracts says otherwise. Plus they inexplicably like this La Stella kid.

If he is the KC Bonifacio then he could be a really useful piece for the Yankees at 2b. Then the bombers only glaring hole would be 3B and personally I am hoping Austin, Anna or Mustelier( if they invite him to camp ) prove that they can handle the position.

Well he fits perfectly for the Brewers also but there’s one catch. Signing Bonafacio now would expose their ultimate plans for Weeks, which are to offer to pay 75% of his salary if anyone will take him off their hands. They can’t in good conscious do this until teams have actually seen Weeks in action in Arizona. Bonifacio would be ideal occasional platoon guy for 2B with Gennett and is an adequate once or twice a week player at 3B to save Ramirez’ knees.

Plus, he adds speed, handled both LHP and RHP and would fill the leadoff role naturally. Drew would be forced to bat out of his normal order, and can’t hit lefties at all. You would sacrifice some power for speed, but i think he would be a better lineup fit.